MURALIDHARA KHAJANE

Inordinate delay by the government in releasing subsidy for selected films has become a cause of concern for the crisis-ridden Kannada industry. Filmmakers are demanding the release of subsidy by the end of every financial year.

The Karnataka government, which was offering subsidy for 50 films earlier, had increased the number to 75 during the BJP government headed by B.S. Yeddyurappa. With mounting pressure from the film industry, the present Congress government extended the subsidy benefit to 100 films.

The government gives Rs. 10 lakh for general category films and Rs. 15 lakh to novel-based films, besides offering Rs. 25 lakh to historical films and those promoting tourist destinations. The Information Department, which is the nodal agency for constitution of committee to select the films and release subsidy, has so far paid subsidy only for 36 of 75 films selected by the committee for 2012. According to sources, the government has released Rs. 1.16 crore to clear the backlog for 2012.

The committee constituted to select 100 films for 2013 is watching the films and will submit a list shortly. The selection committee for 2014 is yet to be formed, sources said.

Officials attribute several reasons for the delay in releasing subsidy, including delay in formation of committee.

Filmmaker Baragur Ramachandrappa says that as the movies released from January to December in a particular year is being considered for the subsidy, the department can call for entries and form a selection committee by January-end. “Subsidy should be released latest by March 31,” he said.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/no-end-to-kannada-film-industrys-miseries/article7567723.ece